by CRA Corporate Research Associates

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06 Mar 2013

PEI Liberals and NDP Gain at PC Expense

HALIFAX: Government satisfaction increased this quarter, but Islanders continue to be divided on the matter, according to the most recent survey conducted by Corporate Research Associates Inc. Presently, one-half (50%, up from 43% in November 2012) of residents are satisfied with the provincial government, while just under one-half express dissatisfaction (46%, compared with 51%). Four percent (compared with 7%) do not offer a definite opinion at this time.

In terms of voting intentions, one-half of decided voters back the governing Liberal Party (51%, up from 45% three months ago), while 16 percent support the Progressive Conservative Party (down from 28%). Meanwhile, support for the NDP stands at 26 percent (compared with 22%), a number that has been steadily increasing over the last year. Backing for the Green Party rests at seven percent (compared with 5%), while the number of Islanders who are undecided or refuse to state an opinion stands at 42 percent (compared with 40%).

Liberal leader Robert Ghiz’s personal popularity is stable again this quarter. Presently, under four in ten (37%, compared with 36% three months ago) residents prefer Ghiz for Premier. Meanwhile, Interim Leader Steven Myers of the PC Party has the backing of under one in ten Islanders (7%, compared with 19% for Olive Crane in November 2012). Support for Mike Redmond of the NDP is stable at 18 percent (compared with 15%). Support for Peter Bevan-Baker of the Green Party stands at five percent (compared with 8%), while one percent prefer the next leader of the Island Party of PEI (unchanged). One in ten (9%, compared with 7%) prefer none of these leaders, while two in ten are undecided or do not offer a response at this time (22%, up from 14%).

These results are part of the CRA Atlantic Quarterly®, an independent survey of Atlantic Canadians, and are based on a sample of 300 adult Prince Edward Islanders, conducted from February 11 to March 2, 2013 with overall results accurate to within ± 5.6 percentage points, 95 out of 100 times.